The NRC staff determined that VEPCO could safely increase the reactor’s output primarily through more accurate means of measuring feedwater flow
- By April Murelio -
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved a request by Virginia Electric and Power Company (VEPCO) to increase the generating capacity of North Anna Power Station Units 1 and 2 by 1.6 percent.
The NRC staff determined that VEPCO could safely increase the reactor’s output primarily through more accurate means of measuring feedwater flow. NRC staff also reviewed VEPCO’s evaluations showing the plant’s design can handle the increased power level.
The NRC's safety evaluation of the plant’s proposed power uprate focused on several areas, including the nuclear steam supply systems, instrumentation and control systems, electrical systems, accident evaluations, radiological consequences, fire protection, operations and training, testing, and technical specification changes. For added confidence in the analysis, the NRC staff also conducted independent calculations and evaluations of selected areas.
The power uprate for North Anna Power Station, located approximately 40 miles northwest of Richmond, Va., will increase Unit 1’s generating capacity from approximately 965 to 980 megawatts electric and Unit 2’s generating capacity from approximately 965 to 973 megawatts electric. VEPCO intends to implement the uprate in July 2010.
The NRC previously published a notice about the power uprate application in the May 19 Federal Register (http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-11268.pdf) providing the public an opportunity to comment or request a hearing. The agency’s evaluation of the North Anna power uprate will be available through the NRC’s ADAMS electronic document database by entering ML092250616 on this Web page: http://adamswebsearch.nrc.gov/dologin.htm.
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